Disabled Boy Defies Odds And Becomes Swimming Champion

Ismail Zuliac is a six-year-old boy who was born without arms. He also has a deformed foot. However, he has not let that stop him from becoming a swimmer. His parents thought that introducing him to swimming at a young age would help him.

Amel Kapo is a sports graduate. She teaches swimming classes to children with disabilities. She stated that children with disabilities are born different, but that does not have to stop them. She teaches them how to adapt to their disability so that they can swim.

The swimming classes that Amel teaches are free. Ismail’s parents are poor and can barely afford to drive him to swim classes every week. Spid, which is the name of the company that sponsors the free swimming lessons, has been helping the family cover the cost of fuel.

Amel’s hard work caught the attention of the Swim Strong Foundation. This is a non-profit organization that is based in New York. Shawn Slevin is the founder of the organization. He has stated that he wants to build the confidence level of disabled children. If their confidence is built, then they will believe that there is nothing that they cannot do.

It is estimated that 6.5 percent of children in Bosnia who are between the ages of two and nine have a disability. Many of these children do not have the equipment that they need in order to function such as adapted furniture and support bars. Ismail will begin school this fall. It is likely that his school will not have what he needs.

However, Ismail has managed to beat the odds. He is training for the World para-swimming champion, which will take place in Germany later in the year. Ismet is inspired by his son’s resilience. He stated that his son has taught him to appreciate life more.